Page 89 of I Dare You
Still nothing from Jupiter.But I know she’s only biding her time.
I decide on the crunchy peanut butter and make my way down the aisle.
As I’m looking at breakfast cereals, I overhear two ladies speaking softly.“They’re having a town meeting to discuss you-know-what.Apparently, the police have a lead.”
The box I’m holding crashes to the floor, giving my eavesdropping away.
The women stop their gossiping and eye me warily.
Maintaining my composure, I grab the box and throw it into the cart and casually walk away.When I hear their gossip start up again, I let out the breath I was holding.
This is bad.
This is very fucking bad.
A lead?
Is that why Jupiter has been silent?Is she waiting to claim victory after my arrest?
Suddenly, everyone in the store seems to be staring at me, silently judging my actions.Their whispers and looks make it clear they know everything.Panic rises and threatens to strangle me.My feet are cemented to the floor.I can’t move.I can’t breathe.
“Miss, are you okay?”the teenager clerk kindly asks, and when he tries to comfort me, I yank my arm away, making a scene as I run from the store.
The automatic doors sound as I rush through them quickly, narrowly avoiding an elderly couple who are quietly minding their business.
They stare at me in confusion, a normal reaction to a frantic woman rushing toward them.But all I see is every set of eyes in town looking at me, judging.
I reach Kit’s car, relieved.With trembling fingers, I try to unlock the truck, but the reflection in the window makes me spin around, heart pounding.
It’s Jupiter.
A smug smile is glued to her face.
I don’t know what to say.
I simply stare at her.
“What’s the matter?Not happy to see your BFF?”Her comment drips with sarcasm.
“Enough.”I finally find my voice.“I’m done playing these games.What do you want?”
Jupiter tilts her head, lips pursed, deep in thought.“I want my best friend back,” she finally replies.“Because whoever this person is”—she gestures up and down to me—“I do not like.”
“Iamme.I just can’t do this anymore.It’s too dangerous,” I add in a whisper.“Let’s get out of here.We can get you some help.”
The moment the suggestion leaves my lips, I realize my error.
“Getmehelp?”she spits.“Babe, there is no me, just us.We’re in this together.Remember?You were there.You could have stopped at any time, but you didn’t.Instead, you hide behind me, too afraid to accept who you really are.”
“And who am I?”I say softly, defeated.
She replies with one word, a word which equates to a thousand.“Me.”
She’s right.
I was drawn to her because we’re alike.
Our experiences.
